Kemmerer Gun Club member Mike Haws addresses the Lincoln County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 19, about the danger the Fox Farm Bridge and the connecting highway pose to drivers.The Commissioners said they would bring concerns to WYDOT. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Kemmerer Gun Club members attended the Lincoln County Commissioners' meeting on Tuesday, June 19, to express their concerns about the safety of the Fox Farm Bridge and the connecting highway.

"Over the weekend we had 150 kids out at the Gun Club for the 4-H shoot," said Gun Club member Mike Haws. "We had several near accidents, but pretty much what the state has told us is that they won't put a turn lane in until someone gets killed."

Commissioner Kent Connelly said he appreciated the members speaking in the meeting, but the ultimate decision and project funding would come from WYDOT.

"The list of prioritized repair and replace projects are set by WYDOT, not by Lincoln County," Connelly said.

Gun club members said even when drivers on the portion of Highway 189 preparing to turn onto Fox Farm Bridge turn on their signal well in advance, drivers coming from behind still pose a danger.

Lincoln County Engineer Amy Butler spoke at the meeting about WYDOT's Bridge Replacement Offsystem Program (BROS), which she said is WYDOT's program for repairing and replacing these types of bridges and connecting roads.

Butler said the project would cost the state, $979,000, with Lincoln County being responsible for $93,000.

"This is a competitive program though, and it might be five or six years before we see a new bridge," Butler said.

Members of the Kemmerer Gun Club attend the Lincoln County Commission meeting on Tuesday, June 19, to express their concern about the safety of this portion of Highway 189 that turns onto the Fox Farm Bridge. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Fox Farm Bridge on County Road 327. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Harmon expressed concern that the project might be more expensive because it may take several years.

Kemmerer Gun Club member Mary Ann Putnam also spoke at the meeting. She said she had approached Lincoln County and WYDOT in the past about a turn lane or a slow down sign, and she received a letter from WYDOT saying that there weren't enough accidents to justify a project, and drivers should put their turn signals on well in advance of turning off Highway 189 onto Fox Farm Bridge.

"It's not just the Gun Club that uses this road," Putnam said. "There are homes there. People walk their dogs and fishermen also use the road. We understand the cost, but we're concerned about safety."

Butler said she had talked to WYDOT engineer Keith Compton, who also said that there weren't enough accidents or vehicle traffic to justify a project.

Butler also said there had been a preliminary meeting with WYDOT officials, who visited the site and discussed the safety of the bridge and the highway.

Connelly told the Gun Club members to keep contacting WYDOT.

"We are all the time competing with Jackson, so feel free to complain to WYDOT and ask why people in Jackson get all the money and we don't get anything," Connelly said.

"It's good you're here today," Commissioner Jerry Harmon told the audience. "We'll see what we can do about getting a  a left turn lane or a slow down sign."

"We're not opposed to a project," Connelly told the Gun Club members. "We'll back you up, because this isn't the only place in the county that has this issue."

"I agree with you all on the bridge and the road issue," Commissioner Robert King said. "Four or five years is a long time to wait. We'll take it up with WYDOT, and if you continue to write in your concerns to WYDOT, that will help us."

The next County Commissioners' meeting is on Tuesday, July 3.